Holding his breath, Gerard willed himself to blend seamlessly into the shadows of the compartment, his heart pounding in his chest. It was a tense standoff, a battle of wills between the disguised merchants and the ever-watchful guards. The seconds felt like an eternity as the guard's scrutiny intensified, threatening to unravel their carefully crafted disguise.
Another set of travellers caught up to the back of the caravan, and the guard turned his attention to them.
"I've checked their identification. The villagers are from Haven's Rest. Let them through!" a guard yelled.
The cart rolled forward, jostling Sprite, Brutus, and Gerard again.
"Why did you choose me for this? I take up most of this space, and for infiltration, I'm not very inconspicuous."
"If the necklace doesn't work, and my Shadow Foil brings itself out, I need someone who will stop me, no matter what, and I trust you, Brutus."
"To kill you?"